INTRODUCTION
Rationale
Time, an abstract concept rooted in the natural world, plays a crucial role in human development and existence The intrinsic relationship between humans and time is evident in history, as every significant event is situated within a specific timeline This connection compels individuals to understand and articulate their perceptions of time, making language a vital tool for expressing these concepts.
This thesis explores the concept of time perception through English and Vietnamese idioms and proverbs, which serve as unique linguistic units that encapsulate traditional culture, national customs, and thought processes By focusing on these expressions, the study aims to uncover the rich existential significance they hold within their respective languages.
Studying idioms and proverbs is essential for understanding a nation's language and thought processes, as they reflect the cultural and linguistic characteristics of that society.
This study explores the similarities and differences in the perception of time through idioms and proverbs in both English and Vietnamese While numerous studies have examined time perception within each language, there is a lack of comparative research that addresses this topic across both languages By focusing on cognitive linguistics, this research aims to provide a deeper understanding of how time is conceptualized in these two distinct linguistic contexts.
Research questions
This study aims to explore the perception of time in English and Vietnamese idioms and proverbs, with the goal of providing insights into the cognitive processes related to time in both English and Vietnamese cultures.
To achieve the aim of this study, the following research questions have to be answered:
1 How is the concept of time in English and Vietnamese idioms and proverbs about time perceived?
2 What are the similarities and differences in how the concept of time in English and Vietnamese idioms and proverbs is perceived?
Significance of the research
This study aims to illuminate the cognitive mechanisms related to the perception of time by analyzing English and Vietnamese idioms and proverbs through the lens of conceptual metaphor theory It conducts a contrastive analysis to identify similarities and differences in how the concept of time is understood in both languages The research aspires to contribute to the field of cognitive semantics by providing insights into cross-linguistic perspectives on time Ultimately, the findings will enhance our understanding of how different cultures conceptualize time and the underlying reasons for these perceptions.
Scope of the research
This thesis explores the perceptions of time as reflected in Vietnamese and English idioms and proverbs It is based on a careful selection of 50 idioms and proverbs from each language, focusing on their relationship to the concept of time The sources for this collection include the Oxford Dictionary of Idioms (2004), the Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (2004), and Nguyen Lan's Vietnamese Idioms and Proverbs Dictionary (2011).
The conceptual metaphor theory proposed by Johnson and Lakoff (1980) are used as research approach in analyzing the time perceptions in the selected idioms and proverbs.
Organization of the thesis
This thesis is structured into three primary sections: the INTRODUCTION outlines the study's rationale, research questions, significance, scope, and organization; the DEVELOPMENT, the core of the thesis, comprises three chapters—CHAPTER 1 discusses the theoretical background, CHAPTER 2 details the methodology including research questions, methods, data, and analytical framework, and CHAPTER 3 focuses on data analysis and discussions; finally, the CONCLUSION summarizes the key points, discusses implications, acknowledges limitations, and offers suggestions for future research, concluding with the REFERENCE and APPENDIX sections.
DEVELOPMENT
THEORETICAL BACKGROUND AND LITERATURE REVIEW
This study is a contrastive analysis of the perception of time in English and Vietnamese temporal idioms and proverbs so this chapter reviews the literature in term of the following:
- The definitions of idioms and proverbs; the distinction between idioms and proverbs; idioms and proverbs about time;
- Cognitive Linguistics and Cognitive Semantics, the guiding principles of Cognitive Semantics and its major theories;
- Contrastive analysis and its guiding principles;
- Previous researches related to the study
This section presents definitions of idioms and proverbs, clarifying the distinction between the two It also includes discussions on idioms and proverbs related to the concept of time.
There is a variety of definitions of idioms defined in many dictionaries
Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (2000:643) defines an idiom as „a group of words whose meaning is different from the meanings of individual words‟ Collins
An idiom is defined as a group of words that collectively convey a meaning distinct from the individual meanings of each word, as noted by Co-build Learner’s Dictionary (1996: 547) Similarly, the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English (1988, p.711) describes an idiom as a phrase whose meaning differs from the meanings of its constituent words This concept is also explored in the Vietnamese idioms and proverbs dictionary by Nguyen Lan.
(2011), he states that idioms are fixed phrases that convey certain concepts Or, in
According to "English Idioms in Use Advanced" by Cambridge University Press, idioms are fixed combinations of words whose meanings are often challenging to deduce from the individual words These expressions are structured in a way that does not allow for substitution or rearrangement, as doing so would result in a loss of their original meanings Additionally, idioms convey figurative meanings, making it difficult to grasp their significance based solely on the literal definitions of the words involved.
Proverbs are succinct and widely recognized sayings that convey truths rooted in common sense or experience As defined by various sources, including Wikipedia, these expressions are often repeated and serve to encapsulate wisdom in a straightforward manner.
A proverb is defined as a well-known phrase or sentence that imparts advice or expresses a generally accepted truth (2000) According to Mieder (1993:5), proverbs are short, widely recognized sentences that encapsulate wisdom, morals, and traditional views in a metaphorical and memorable way, passed down through generations Nguyen Lan, in his Vietnamese idioms and proverbs dictionary (2011), describes proverbs as expressions that reflect comments, complaints, or advice about natural or social experiences Collectively, these definitions illustrate that proverbs serve as concise utterances containing valuable experiential lessons.
1.1.3 Distinction between Idioms and Proverbs
Linguistic researchers have extensively examined idioms and proverbs to clarify their definitions and establish a distinction between the two The definitions provided highlight key differences, allowing for a clearer understanding of how idioms and proverbs are defined and differentiated.
contain moral lessons or advice based on natural or social experiences
The distinction between proverbs and idioms is often ambiguous, as many linguists find it challenging to differentiate between the two Some proverbs exhibit characteristics similar to idioms, leading to classification debates For instance, Jon Wright's Idioms Organizer (2002) categorizes "time is money" as an idiom, despite its syntactical structure resembling a complete sentence and its semantic content conveying a life lesson Similarly, the Vietnamese saying "trèo cao ngã đau" (climb high, fall painful) is viewed by some linguists as an idiom, while others classify it as a proverb, arguing that its figurative meaning reflects the consequences of ambition and failure, thus serving as an experiential lesson.
2011) Therefore, when analyzing the time perception of English and Vietnamese people through their idioms and proverbs, the study is not intended to make a clear distinction between idioms and proverbs
1.1.4 Idioms and proverbs about time
Idioms and proverbs about time are the idioms and proverbs that contain words denoting time or have the meaning of time According to Seild and Mordie
In 1993, it was noted that English idioms and proverbs are categorized into various groups, including body parts, animals, colors, numbers, and time Among these, idioms and proverbs related to time represent a unique category, where time-related terms serve as key words with specific meanings This group illustrates how individuals utilize time expressions in fixed phrases and the connections they make between these terms and other aspects of life.
In the study, the idioms and proverbs about time are selected based on the two criteria: containing words denoting time or containing the meaning of time
1.2 Cognitive Linguistics and Cognitive Semantics
This study explores the perception of time in English and Vietnamese idioms and proverbs, contributing to the field of cognitive semantics The section provides an overview of Cognitive Linguistics and Cognitive Semantics, highlighting their relevance to understanding cultural differences in temporal concepts.
During the 1960s and 1970s, the emergence and development of the cognitive sciences, particularly cognitive psychology, rooted the birth of a new approach to the study of language: Cognitive Linguistics
Cognitive linguistics […] is an approach to language that is based on our experience of the world and the way we perceive and conceptualize it.
Cognitive Linguistics explores the intricate relationship between language, the mind, and socio-physical experiences (Ungerer & Schmid, 1997) It posits that linguistic knowledge is intertwined with general cognitive processes, such as reasoning, memory, and learning (Croft & Cruse, 2004; Evans & Green, 2006; Langacker, 1987; Johnson, 1987) This field views language as a crucial component of cognition, reflecting the interplay of social, cultural, psychological, and communicative factors in cognitive development (Fauconier, 2000).
The emergence of Cognitive Linguistics in the 1970s (Fillmore, 1975; Lakoff
Cognitive linguistics emerged as a response to the dominant formal approaches to language, such as generative grammar and truth-conditional semantics, which posited that language is an innate cognitive faculty and that knowledge of a language equates to knowing its finite grammatical rules In contrast, cognitive linguistics proposes that language is not autonomous, grammar is a form of conceptualization, and language knowledge arises from usage According to Lakoff (1990), cognitive linguistics is underpinned by two key commitments: the Generalization Commitment, which seeks to explore how linguistic knowledge develops from shared human cognitive abilities, and the Cognitive Commitment, which aims to describe these principles in line with our understanding of human cognition Together, these commitments foster a universal approach that aims to characterize the overarching principles of human language while remaining aligned with empirical findings from related fields such as cognitive psychology and artificial intelligence.
This study is rooted in cognitive linguistics, aiming to examine the connection between the human brain and language practice It specifically investigates how English and Vietnamese speakers conceptualize time, focusing on their use of idioms and proverbs related to this theme.
Cognitive Semantics, along with Cognitive Grammar, emerged as key components of Cognitive Linguistics to challenge traditional formal theories of meaning that are rooted in an objectivist perspective, such as truth conditional semantics, which posits that meaning is merely a connection between words and the world, devoid of human cognition (Sweetser, 1990:4) In contrast, Cognitive Semantics asserts that linguistic meaning arises from conceptual structures shaped by bodily experiences It focuses on the interplay between human experience, the conceptual system, and the semantic structures represented in language (Rosch, 1973; Lakoff & Johnson, 1980; Lakoff, 1987; Johnson, 1987; Langacker, 1987, 1990).
Cognitive semantics scholars focus on knowledge representation and meaning construction, exploring how conceptual structures shape understanding They utilize language as a tool to investigate cognitive phenomena, aiming to model the human mind while also examining linguistic semantics.
This study explores the relationship between the concept of time and the temporal bodily experiences of English and Vietnamese speakers, focusing on how these experiences are reflected in their idioms and proverbs related to time, through the lens of cognitive semantics.
1.2.2.1 Guiding principles of Cognitive Semantics
METHODOLOGY
This chapter discusses the research approach, research method, the data, data collection procedure, data classification and the analytical framework for the study
This study is conducted to seek answers to the two following research questions:
1 How is the concept of time in English and Vietnamese idioms and proverbs about time perceived?
2 What are the similarities and differences in how the concept of time in English and Vietnamese idioms and proverbs is perceived?
The present study investigates into how the concept of time in English and Vietnamese idioms/proverbs about time is perceived in the light of conceptual metaphor theory
Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT) is a key aspect of Cognitive semantics that explores the cognitive mechanisms behind linguistic expressions and the conceptual foundations of figurative meaning It posits that metaphor functions at the level of thought, involving a mapping between a source domain, which includes tangible entities and relationships, and a target domain, often abstract in nature This mapping allows for the creation of new meanings for abstract concepts, as articulated by Lakoff and Johnson (1980) CMT serves as a valuable framework for examining the concept of time, as demonstrated in this study, which analyzes English and Vietnamese idioms and proverbs related to time by identifying and mapping their source domains to uncover cultural perceptions of time in both languages.
A total of 100 temporal idioms and proverbs which consist of 50 idioms and proverbs related to the concept of time in English from Oxford dictionary of idioms
(2004), Oxford dictionary of proverbs (2004) and 50 idioms and proverbs about time in Vietnamese from Vietnamese idioms and proverbs dictionary (Nguyen Lan
In the present study, idioms and proverbs were manually selected based on specific criteria related to the concept of time The selection process involved identifying phrases that included the word "time," terms denoting time divisions, or words connected to the notion of time For instance, English idioms featuring "time" (e.g., "ahead of time") and expressions with time-related words like "day" or "hour" (e.g., "day in, day out") were included Similarly, Vietnamese idioms containing time division words such as "ngày" (day), "tháng" (month), and "năm" (year), or phrases related to time concepts (e.g., "Bốn chín chưa qua năm ba đã tới" - "Age of forty-nine hasn’t passed but age of fifty-three is coming") were also chosen.
This thesis employs contrastive analysis to explore the similarities and differences in the perception of time between English and Vietnamese cultures, as reflected in their idioms and proverbs As highlighted by James (1980), contrastive analysis is crucial for gaining insights into the nuances of distinct languages.
The present study adopts the conceptual metaphor theory (Lakoff & Johnson,
This study employs the research approach outlined by Lakoff and Johnson (1980) to examine and compare the perception of time in English and Vietnamese idioms and proverbs The analysis begins by identifying linguistic units within these idioms and proverbs that are linked to specific source domains Following this, the source domains for both English and Vietnamese are established, allowing for a mapping of these domains into the target domain of TIME This exploration reveals the distinct ways in which time is conceptualized in both languages.
Vietnamese people perceive time, from which the similarities and differences are explored The analytical framework of the study is illustrated as in the below diagram
Appendix 3 showcases the classification of idioms and proverbs by source-domain groups, while also providing translations of selected Vietnamese idioms and proverbs into English along with their literal meanings.
DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
This section categorizes data by source domains to explore two key questions: how the concept of time is perceived in English and Vietnamese idioms and proverbs, and the similarities and differences in these perceptions The first question is addressed in two parts: the first examines how English idioms and proverbs reflect their understanding of time, while the second investigates how Vietnamese idioms and proverbs convey their perception of time The second question analyzes the findings from the first to identify the similarities and differences in how English and Vietnamese cultures view the concept of time through their respective idiomatic expressions.
3.1 How the English people perceive through their idioms and proverbs about time
3.1.1 Time is perceived as space
In both the physical world and human experience, space and time are intricately linked, with movement in space always occurring alongside the passage of time While space encompasses all that exists around us and its changes are easily observable, time remains a more abstract concept In ancient times, before the invention of clocks, people relied on changes in their environment to gauge time, marking the day by the rising sun and the night by its setting Even after the advent of timekeeping devices, individuals continued to perceive time through spatial references.
The relationship between spatial orientation and human thought, particularly our perception of time, has been widely recognized According to Lakoff (1993:218), our understanding of time is metaphorically linked to space due to our biological makeup, as our visual systems are equipped to detect motion, objects, and locations, but not time itself This leads to the use of spatial language to describe temporal concepts The metaphor TIME AS SPACE illustrates how time is conceptualized through spatial dimensions, allowing English speakers to leverage the richness of spatial concepts to create new meanings for temporal ideas In various English idioms and proverbs, time is often perceived in terms of extension and location.
By combining the adjectives that traditionally express space with the words denoting time, new meanings of the abstract concept as time are generated Consider the below examples:
In English, adjectives such as "high," "long," and "short" describe the spatial property known as extension, which is inherently linked to a physical substrate that constitutes space (Evans, 2013) In contrast, the substrate associated with time is action (Talmy, 2000), where the property of time is characterized by duration rather than extension This relationship facilitates the mapping of the source domain of SPACE onto the target domain of TIME.
SOURCE DOMAIN -> TARGET DOMAIN SPACE TIME
The examples provided illustrate how English speakers subjectively experience time based on the speed of actions Specifically, the duration of an action, whether it feels prolonged or brief, shapes their perception of time, allowing them to conceptualize it as an extension in space.
Due to being understood through spatial metaphor, the abstract concept as time is conceptualized as location by English people Consider the following instances:
English people use the locative prepositions such as „ahead of’, ‘at’, behind’,
‘before’, ‘between’, ‘from…to’ with reference to time to depict time as location
Spatial location serves as a source domain for mapping time, leading to the conceptualization of time as a specific location In examples (4), (6), (7), and (8), English speakers view time in relation to the ego's position, while in example (5), time is seen as an exact point indicated by "at." Additionally, in example (9), time is understood as a movement from one location to another.
3.1.2 Time is perceived as motion
First, English people perceive time through TIME PASSING IS A MOVING OBJECT metaphor Take a look at the following:
(11) Time flies like an arrow
In this metaphor, time is understood to move towards the static ego, the person who is the point of reference to the event Therefore, time can be seen to
“come” from the future (12) or “fly” towards the future (11) and “go” into the past
(10) TIME AS MOVING ENTITY is illustrated as below:
Secondly, English people think of time as TIME AND OBSERVER MOVING IN THE SAME DIRECTION, consider the below example:
In dynamic contexts, time is perceived relative to motion rather than a static reference, as demonstrated in examples (10), (11), (12), (13), and (14) This illustrates that both time and ego progress together in the same direction.
3.1.3 Time is perceived as valuable things
In English culture, time is regarded as a precious commodity, often compared to valuable assets like money and gold, encapsulated in the metaphor "TIME IS A VALUABLE THING." This perspective highlights the significance of time in modern Western industrialized society, where its value is emphasized through various conceptual metaphors According to Lakoff and Johnson (1980), time's worth is deeply ingrained in the language and thought processes of English speakers.
1) TIME IS MONEY metaphor Consider the below examples:
(16) An inch of time is an inch of gold
(17) Time is capital: invest it wisely
(18)Time is like money: once spent it, it can never be spent again
In English, the metaphorical relationship between time and money is illustrated through the image schema where the SOURCE DOMAIN IS TARGET DOMAIN This is evident in the use of verbs like "invest" and "spend," which are typically associated with money but are applied to time as well Consequently, English speakers commonly express the idea of spending or investing time in the same way they do with money, highlighting the conceptual mapping of MONEY onto TIME.
MONEY -> TIME The user of money -> The user of time The purpose that requires money -> The purpose that requires time The value of money -> The value of time
2) The TIME IS A LIMITED SOURCE conceptual metaphor is derived from the idea that mankind has a limited quantity of time that ends is a projection of limited time of our own lives as in the statement of Lakoff and Tunner (1989, p.34): „each of us is allotted a certain fixed time on earth Our allotted time will eventually be used up and we will die‟ Thus, English people perceive time as a limited resource that they should „gain‟ or „save‟ and should not „waste‟ For instance:
(20) Wasting time/ A waste of time
3) TIME IS A VALUABLE COMMODITY metaphor is the entailment of TIME IS
A LIMITED SOURCE This entailment is based on English people‟s general experience that what is limited is valuable so it can be bought or sold as in:
3.1.4 Time is perceived as container
In English culture, time is perceived as a finite resource, allowing individuals to execute tasks within specific timeframes This perspective views time as a container for events, leading to the conceptual metaphor of TIME AS CONTAINER.
(23) A stitch in time saves nine
In English, the TIME AS CONTAINER metaphor is expressed using the prepositions "in" and "out of" to indicate whether actions occur within or outside specific time limits Additionally, adverbs such as "over," "part," and "up" illustrate time's capacity to fill a container, enhancing our understanding of temporal orientation and fluidity.
3.1.5 Time is perceived as a person
In English, time is conceptualized as a human being as follows:
(32) Time heals all wounds/ time is a great healer
(33) Time and tide wait for no men
(34) Turn back the hands of time
In the examples provided, time is personified, illustrating how this literary device enhances our understanding of complex concepts Lakoff and Turner (1988) emphasize that personification allows us to leverage our self-knowledge to grasp abstract ideas, natural forces, and inanimate objects For instance, in the first example, English speakers envision time as a wise individual with keen vision, highlighting the unique perspective through which they perceive temporal concepts.
In the article, time is personified in various ways, illustrating its healing power and relentless nature English people liken time to a good doctor, emphasizing how it helps individuals heal from sorrows and forget painful past experiences Just as a doctor instills hope in patients, the passage of time offers hope for recovery and renewal after difficult times Additionally, time is depicted as an incessant traveler that does not wait for anyone, highlighting its unstoppable flow Furthermore, attributing hands to time suggests that it is an active agent capable of influencing our lives.
3.1.6 Time is perceived as an object
In English culture, time is often perceived metaphorically as an object, allowing individuals to view it as something they can possess, lose, or qualify This conceptualization reflects a mapping from the tangible source domain of OBJECT to the abstract domain of TIME, illustrating how people relate to time in a concrete manner.
To possess object -> To possess time
To impact an object -> To impact time
To lose an object -> To lose time
To borrow an object -> To borrow time
To qualify an object -> To qualify time
1) The TIME IS A POSSESSION metaphor is linguistically expressed in English through the use of possessive pronouns or possessive verbs as the following examples:
(36) Have time in one’s hand
In the above examples, the possession of time is expressed grammatically through the use of possessive pronoun „one’s‟ as in (35), (37), (38) and possessive verb „have‟ as in (36)
2) The TIME IS AN OBJECT THAT CAN BE IMPACTED metaphor is found as in (38) or in some instances as follows:
(42) Take time by the forelock
3) The TIME AS AN OBJECT TO BE LOST metaphor as in:
(43) Make up for lost time
4) The TIME AS OBJECT TO BE BORROWED metaphor as in
5) The TIME AS AN OBJECT THAT ONE CAN QUALIFY metaphor as follows: